Gay Outdoor Club’s Post

📣 🎉 Happy National Human Rights Day - Do you know why the L comes first in LGBTQI+? ️ 🎉 📣 This year, I want to share something personal to celebrate equality: my wedding video with my wife, Charly Rainbow. The audio speaks a message that we hope resonates with people. (Link: https://lnkd.in/e3m4Y_GY) Today reminds us of the ongoing struggles for human rights around the world. While we celebrate our love, it's important to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community facing limitations and persecution. When planning our wedding, Charly and I wanted to do our part. Here are some sobering 'not so fun' facts we included in our reading during our vows: ➡️1992: Same-sex attraction was classified as a mental illness in the UK. ➡️2014 (just 10 years ago): The first legal same-sex marriages took place in England & Wales. Myself, at 23, never thought marriage would be possible. ➡️Globally: Today, being gay is illegal in 64 countries, with the death penalty existing in 11 countries. Sadly, advocating for these rights came at a personal cost. We lost and faced criticism from some family members over our choice to raise awareness on our wedding day. Prejudice is a learned trait. You're not born prejudiced; you're taught it, let's do our bit to make the world a better place and create a more inclusive world.

On the eve of Pride month kicking off, I am asking you for one simple thing. Support trans people and speak out against those who seek to do trans people harm. Not sure how? I've got you covered with some tips on how to be an ally, there are tons of other resources available on the WE CREATE SPACE content library. Link in comments!

#PrideMonth includes many important celebrations, like #PrideParades! Curious to learn more about the history of these parades across the country? Check out this great video from PBS: https://hubs.li/Q02B5SpB0 #Pride2024 #LGBTQ+ #Activism #Celebration

😵 Struggling with #EmployeeEngagement? Here are few stats to consider... 💰 Companies with highly engaged employees are 21% more profitable and have 17% higher productivity compared to those with low engagement levels. In addition to that, 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their professional development 🧠. 🌈 With #PRIDEMonth hours away from kicking off! If you're looking for FUN ways to increase engagement from your LGBTQIA+ team members and Allies by giving them an opportunity for some professional development, might I recommend a fun contest/raffle aligned with your org's goals and objectives granting your teams the opportunity to win a chance to attend a first of its kind conference that is Black & queer founded and operated, Rainbow DisruptCon 24 here in #LosAngeles! 🎟 If you're interested in discussing SPECIAL ticket rates to support your PRIDE Month contest/raffles, don't hesitate to reach out! https://lnkd.in/gYpsxWu2

Throughout May, I'm going to be embarking on a daily journey to spotlight LGBTQIA+ Asian-American and Pacific Islander icons, shedding light on a rich tapestry of history often overlooked. George Hosato Takei, born in Los Angeles, California in 1937 to middle-class Japanese-American parents, is an iconic actor, author, and LGBTQIA+ activist. Beginning his acting career in the late 1950s, Takei navigated through the limited opportunities available to Asian-American actors at the time. Despite a troubling era in Hollywood where roles for Asian characters were often given to Caucasian actors, Takei's breakthrough came in 1965 when he was cast as Hikaru Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series, marking a significant step forward for Asian-American representation on television. Though "Star Trek" was canceled after a brief three-season run, Takei's portrayal of Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu left a lasting impact, reshaping public perceptions of Asian-Americans in the media. Beyond acting, Takei is a prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, using his platform to advocate for equality and acceptance. In 2005, Takei publicly came out as gay, and in 2008, he and his partner, Brad Altman, became the first same-sex couple to marry in West Hollywood. He is a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's "Coming Out Project" and has raised funds for projects supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, such as the web series "Camp Abercorn." Takei's activism extends beyond LGBTQIA+ rights. His contributions to US-Japanese relations were recognized in 2004 when he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the government of Japan. Join in celebrating George Takei's remarkable career and activism, as he continues to inspire and empower others with his advocacy and leadership. https://lnkd.in/dapxjpHJ #GeorgeTakei #AAPIRepresentation #LGBTQIAAdvocacy #StarTrek #Activism #Trailblazer #RepresentationMatters #DiversityandInclusion #SocialJustice #LGBTQHistory #LGBTQRights #AsianPride #PrideMonth #Community #History #Intersectionality #Empowerment #Awareness #Visibility

This month, in Connect, Moving Ahead faculty member and DE&I expert, Holiday Phillips guides us through how to become an ally and educate ourselves about LGBTQIA+ issues. Here is what she recommends: 1. Fill in the blanks of your history, as in formal education, sometimes the lives and experiences of marginalised individuals are left out. 2. Open up conversations. Often, the fear of being intrusive stops us from learning about issues we don't know enough about. 3. Read books and watch films about LGBTQIA+ lives as they are an excellent window into people's lived experiences. 4. Consume media from LGBTQIA+ creators on other topics as this will allow you to see them as whole people with varied lives and develop empathy. 5. Go to a pride event and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the community and celebration and while you are there, to share yourself.

Reflection Fridays_A world so hateful 🌍 It's Friday! ✨ And the rainbow month is just around the corner. 🌈  This week I was listening to one of my favourite songs (https://lnkd.in/e2_3iBss). There is this sentence that says: " A world so hateful, they rather die than be who they are" Do you know how it feels when you know a family member tried to kill themselves because of fear and self-hate of being part of the LGBTQ+ community ❓ I do 😔 If you don't, just imagine one call where they tell you that your sister, borther, cousin, aunt, uncle, you name it, is in hospital after a suicide atteemp. And know that the reason is the fear of hate and rejection for who they are. But "Love is patient, love is kind", and when people overcome these fears, there is only joy and PRIDE 💙 🌈 💙 . You don't need to understand, you just need to respect. Enjoy! #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #diversity #diversityequityinclusion #reflectionfridays

Tomorrow begins Pride Month and I need your help! 🌈 As a proud ally, I hold myself accountable for continuously learning more about LGBTQIA+ history, organizations, and ways to support. Please share your resources and/or drop a comment to show your support! Happy Pride! 🌈 Alt text in image

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Is your Pride Month marketing just a quick fling with rainbow colors, or are you in it for the long haul? 🌈 Check out our blog where we explore authentic support. How can your brand be more than just a rainbow washing bystander? From real representation (who are you centering, and what do you want them to do), to backing your LGBTQIA+ staff and causes, we're unpacking how you can transform good intentions into impactful actions. Hit up our blog for tips on doing Pride authentically. https://lnkd.in/g7eRYU8m 🚀